Razor Cartridge Packaging

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is, among other things, a storage system for a razor or razor cartridge that may contain at least one exposed sharp edge of a blade. The system may include a blade cover component that may attach to the razor or razor cartridge such that the at least one exposed sharp edge of the blade is covered. The storage system may also include a container and an insert that may be removably placed within the container or may be attached to the container. The insert may include at least one slot that may be fitted to at least a portion of the razor or razor cartridge. For example, the razor cartridge may contain a storage connection component that may be fitted to the size/shape of the slot. In this way, the razor cartridge may be stabilized by inserting the storage connection component of the razor cartridge into the slot. Also, the container, insert, or blade cover component may be constructed using recycled or biodegradable material.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to a razor component and corresponding storage methods.

BACKGROUND

Cartridge razor architecture has become very popular for consumers due to its ease of use for both shaving and replacing a cartridge when a fresh blade is needed. For example, one type of razor may include a handle structure that attaches to a cartridge at one end, the cartridge housing a blade. When in use, the blade is drawn over a user's skin surface in order to shave the targeted area. The cartridge is detachable from the handle such that the cartridge may be stored separately from the handle. Also, when the user wishes to replace the blade, the cartridge may be removed from the handle and replaced with a new cartridge, including a new blade.

Today, a common practice in the industry is to manufacture containers of replacement razor cartridges from injection molded plastic in three-dimensional forms into which the cartridges nest. These parts require a significant amount of plastic to produce, and while the plastic may be recyclable, many users often end up throwing this packaging away instead of recycling it properly. Additionally, in many countries, the infrastructure for recycling is either not fully developed or falls short of what many consumers may hope for, so that items that even a well-intentioned user tries to recycle do not actually end up being recycled. This is especially true of developing countries that may not even have the option to recycle and can only throw away items. A clear need exists for a method of cartridge packaging that uses much less volume of raw material and that can either be recycled or is biodegradable.

SUMMARY

In one example, a storage system for a razor or razor cartridge is described, the razor or razor cartridge containing at least one exposed sharp edge of a blade. The system of this example may include a blade cover component that may attach to the razor or razor cartridge such that the at least one exposed sharp edge of the blade is covered, protecting the user from unwanted contact with the blade.

The storage system may also include a container and an insert, the insert being removably placed within the container or attached to the container. The insert may include at least one slot that may be fitted to at least a portion of the razor or razor cartridge. Also, the insert may be shaped such that the size, shape, or dimensions of the insert may correspond to the size, shape, or dimensions of the container.

In another example, the razor or razor cartridge may contain a storage connection component that may be fitted to the size/shape of the slot of the insert. In this way, the razor cartridge may be stabilized by inserting the storage connection component of the razor cartridge into the slot.

Also, the container, insert, or blade cover component may be constructed

using recycled or biodegradable material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example of a razor cartridge.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example of a razor cartridge and a portion of a storage apparatus.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example of storage apparatus for a razor cartridge.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a storage system for a razor or razor cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a razor cartridge. In this example, Razor Cartridge 101 contains at least one Blade 103, the at least one Blade 103 containing a sharp edge. The razor cartridge may further include Storage Connection Component 102. Storage Connection Component 102 may increase stability of Razor Cartridge 101 while Razor Cartridge 101 is stored or when Razor Cartridge 101 is not in use.

FIG. 2 is another view of an example of a razor cartridge. In this example, Razor Cartridge 101 includes Blade Cover Component 203. Blade Cover

Component 203 may be removably affixed to Razor Cartridge 101. In this example, Blade Cover Component 203 is affixed to Razor Cartridge 101 such that Blade Cover Component 203 covers the sharp edge of the at least one Blade 103 (not shown). In this way, a user is not at risk of accidental contact with the sharp edge of the at least one Blade 103. Blade Cover Component 203 may be constructed with any desired material. For example, as non-limiting examples, Blade Cover Component 203 may be made of paper, plastic, cardboard, woven material, etc. In addition, Blade Cover Component 203 may be removably affixed to Razor Cartridge 101 in any way. For example, Blade Cover Component 203 may be made of a thin, smooth plastic material and may adhere to Razor Cartridge 101 by static electricity or may be constructed of a paper or cardboard material and may adhere to Razor Cartridge 101 via a thin adhesive applied to the opposing face(s) of either the surface of Razor Cartridge 101 or the surface of the blade cover component or both. Any desired affixing method may be used.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example of the razor cartridge with a blade cover component. In this example, Blade Cover Component 203 includes Tab Portion 301 that may be used to remove Blade Cover Component 203 from Razor Cartridge 101. The blade cover component may be attached to the surface of Razor Cartridge 101 by an adhesive such that Blade Cover Component 203 covers the sharp edge of the at least one blade. In this way, Blade Cover Component 203 may protect the user from unwanted contact with the sharp edge of the at least one blade until the user desires such contact. In that case, the user may grasp the Tab Portion 301 of Blade Cover Component 203 and apply cross-lateral pressure to Blade Cover Component 203 to remove or peel off Blade Cover Component 203 from the surface of Razor Cartridge 101. After at least partial removal of Blade Cover Component 203 from the surface of Razor Cartridge 101, the sharp edge of the blade may be exposed so that the user may apply the sharp edge of the blade to the skin surface that the user wishes to shave.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the storage or distribution of at least one razor cartridge. In this example, one or more Razor Cartridges 101 may be packaged for distribution to the user, with any number of Razor Cartridges 101 being contained within a package or Container 401 of razor cartridges. For example, after manufacture of Razor Cartridge 101, Blade 103 may be affixed to a surface of Razor Cartridge 101 that contains an exposed sharp edge of at least one blade. Razor Cartridge 101 may also be packaged within Container 401 to facilitate distribution of Razor Cartridge 101. If desired, multiple Razor Cartridges 101 may be placed within a single Container 401, or Container 401 may contain only one Razor Cartridge 101.

Container 401 for packaging of Razor Cartridge 101 may further include Razor Cartridge Insert 402 for stabilizing Razor Cartridge 101 while stored within Container 401. In this example, Razor Cartridge Insert 402 includes Slot 403 that may be used to stabilize the at least one Razor Cartridge 101 within Container 401 such that movement and shifting of the at least one Razor Cartridge 101 within Container 401 is minimized or even eliminated. As one non-limiting example, Razor Cartridge 101 may include a storage connection component 102 that extends from at least one aspect of the razor cartridge. The size, shape, or dimensions of Storage Connection Component 102 may correspond to the size/shape/dimensions of Slot 403 such that Storage Connection Component 102 of Razor Cartridge 101 may be inserted into Slot 403 of Razor Cartridge Insert 402 of Container 401. If the size and dimensions of both Slot 403 and Storage Connection Component 102 align, Razor Cartridge 101 may be held firmly within slot 403 of Razor Cartridge Insert 402.

Razor Cartridge Insert 402 may further be stabilized within Container 401 in any desired way. For example, the size, shape, or dimensions of Razor Cartridge Insert 402 may correspond to the size, shape, or dimensions of the container. When Razor Cartridge Insert 402 is placed within Container 401, at least one edge of Razor Cartridge Insert 402 may fit against the side(s) of Container 401 and may prevent unwanted movement of Razor Cartridge Insert 402 (and, hence, movement of Razor Cartridge 101). Alternatively, Razor Cartridge Insert 402 may be attached to the container itself. Any desired stabilization method may be used if desired.

Also, any portion of the packaging, such as Container 401 or Razor Cartridge Insert 402, may be constructed with reclaimed or recycled material and may further be constructed with biodegradable material. For example, any of Container 401 or Razor Cartridge Insert 402 may be made of paper, cardboard, or recyclable plastic, to name a few.

While the detailed description above has been expressed in terms of specific examples, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many other configurations could be used. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that various equivalent modifications of the above-described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. 

1. A razor cartridge storage apparatus, comprising: a blade cover; a razor cartridge insert, wherein the insert includes at least one slot operable to removably hold a razor cartridge; a container; the container configured to removably hold the razor cartridge insert, wherein the blade cover, the razor cartridge insert, or the container are made from a material selected from the list consisting of paper, cardboard, and woven material.
 2. The razor cartridge storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the blade cover is removably attached to at least one surface of a razor cartridge.
 3. The razor storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blade cover, the razor cartridge insert, or the container is recyclable.
 4. The razor cartridge storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blade cover, the razor cartridge insert, or the container is biodegradable. 